The Potomac Upper School debate team is an extraordinary group that has many achievements. The team has won the Virginia State tournament four times in the last five years. Its teammates are constantly breaking records and winning tournaments. Many wonder what the key ingredient is to the debate team’s success. After conducting interviews and observing the students, I believe the main factor is the team atmosphere and the relationships among members of the team. 

As I interviewed students from all grade levels on the Upper School team, one theme was most common: team encouragement and a sense of value.  This is because of the special environment. As the head debate coach, Mr. Harry Strong, pointed out, the team environment is very encouraging, which allows everyone to succeed. Strong stated that one of the reasons the team is so successful is because the drive to win is fostered among the students. They all want to be able to keep up with each other, which factors into the team’s numerous successes. The great atmosphere is also one of the main reasons students join the team, which helps the debate team a great deal. 

Sophomore debater, Meritt Leahey ‘27, mentioned that the team allows her to become friends with different people in other grade levels that she usually wouldn’t interact with. Those friendships are evident throughout my interviews, as people were joking with one another and constantly laughing. Meritt does congressional debate, and within that event, people grow close because they prepare and practice together. 

The theme of friendships and bonds is common throughout students as junior debater, Armaan Sethi ‘26, also talked about how close the team is, along with the supportive environment. He spoke about how everyone eats dinner together and helps each other at tournaments. Armaan also agreed with Strong by mentioning how the team environment helps Potomac win. When asked about some of his favorite team memories, he talked about Nationals last year; he and a few other teammates went to a rooftop and played football in Des Moines. 

The closeness within the team is evident through the wins the debate team has had. The team environment makes this group one of a kind and has more positive effects beyond the wins, thanks to the bonds formed.